Functions of a language assistant

2018-19 School Year Subdirección General de Cooperación Internacional

y Promoción Exterior Educativa

INTRODUCTIONS 1. YOU: What's your name? Where are you from?

2. YOUR SCHOOL: What region and town is your

school in? What is it called? Which grade levels will you be working with?

3. YOUR HOUSE: Do you already have housing? How did you find it? What type of housing is it? Is it far from the school? What means of transportation are you going to use to get around?

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YOUR SCHOOL

YOU ARE A PART of the department of foreign languages or of the bilingual program. Your schedule will normally be 12 hours per

week. You will be assigned a mentor teacher or a

teacher to contact.

Orient yourself...

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YOUR WORK

Support classroom teacher(s) Help strengthen, above all, the oral and

communicative skills of the students Share aspects of your culture

You should...

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YOUR WORK

Participate in extracurricular activities: cultural activities, sports, field trips, school exchanges, etc.

(These may be very educational and enriching. We encourage you to participate).

Also, if you can, you should...

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YOUR WORK

You may participate in language training activities for the school teachers. And collaborate in the preparation of

teaching materials for classroom use.

And, if they ask you to...

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YOUR WORK

Take full responsibility for the class. Prepare or correct exams. Take responsibility for:

– Assessments and grading – Discipline and supervision of the playground – The syllabus or year-end review

(You can help, but these are not your responsibility)

But, they should not ask you to...

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YOUR WORK

With one or multiple teachers in a foreign language class or in non-language subjects.

In the same classroom as the teacher, helping upon request.

With the class is divided into two groups: one group with the teacher and another with you.

Preparing your in-class participation ahead of time, according to the teacher's instructions.

You may work in the following situations:

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YOUR WORK

The teacher can provide you with teaching material or ask you to prepare your own material according to his or her instructions

Find out about departmental or library resources (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.)

There are a lot of resources online Authentic materials:

– Comics and newspapers – Different types of brochures – Photo albums – Children's books – Maps – Etc.

Materials:

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YOUR WORK

Class Schedule Planning notebook: write down what you have

planned, what you have done and what you haven't, so as not to repeat or skip content with different groups Class roll: to get to know the students Extra teaching material and exercisesto

supplement assignments from the teacher

Tools:

QUESTIONS 2

1. THE PROGRAM Why did you decide to participate? Is this your first time living away from home? What do you hope to achieve from this experience?

2. WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU: What do you think are the qualities of a good language assistant?

3. YOUR COUNTRY AND SPAIN: What do you like most about your country? And about Spain?

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YOUR ROLE

You are a native speaker and an "authentic" model of your language and culture. Above all else, you must speak your own

language. You are a novelty to your teacher. You are close in age to the students. You can have a great impact on the motivation of

the students to learn languages.

Always keep in mind that...

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YOUR ROLE

You will be well received by the students, teachers and families. Everyone will be excited to meet you. You have very favorable conditions that will help

you succeed in your work.

And that...

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YOUR ROLE

You will have to satisfy the curiosity of your students and talk to them about yourself

your family your life your experiences your country your culture

Speak with them frequently in your language.

And, to accomplish your work well...

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YOUR PROFILE

Observant and willing to learn about: Spain and your assigned region The school and families Classwork Relationship with students and with the school

community

To do this you will have to be...

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YOUR PROFILE

Dynamic, proactive Open, receptive Interested, curious Willing, invovled Flexible Firm in giving instructions

And also…

QUESTIONS 3

1. YOU What are you like? What are your hobbies? Do you think you can be a good language assistant?

2. YOUR EDUCATION What have you studied so far?

3. YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS After your participation in the program ends, what profession do you think you'll pursue?

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Manage your involvement in the program Identify cultural differences Get to know the country's culture Improve your Spanish Adapt to your environment

Personal

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Learn about the learning and teaching of your language and its culture Get to know Spain's education system Learn about the curriculum, syllabus and students' learning objectives Distinguish between suitable and unsuitable activities

Professional 1

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Conduct yourself in a professional manner. Get to know the norms and procedures of the school and department:

• Organization • Personnel • Contact with students (social media) • Use of the facilities, the cafeteria... • Use of the students' photos • Fire alarms • Faculty dress code • Etc.

Professional 2

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Address and change cultural prejudices Motivate student participation Earn their respect Identify and know how to work with different language levels, interests, needs and abilities Manage the class

With the students

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Show that you are firm and constant at work and with the rules. Remember that you are not the classroom teacher, nor are you the students' friend Create a routine of activities. Help students to create work habits as individuals and in groups Use group dynamic strategies (flexible groupings, quick pace, etc.)

The following will help:

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Attend classes as an observer for 1 or 2 weeks before starting to perform your functions as a language assistant.

It will also help you to:

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Listen and ask questions. Ask for help. Collaborate. Show initiative and make suggestions

Remember that in order to learn, you have to want to learn. Never forget what you can achieve with a smile and

a positive attitude.

With the faculty

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Be flexible with the different work schedules that they may give you. Negotiate your schedule (12 hours per week) as much as possible. Talk with your teacher and with your school if you find yourself in an unusual situation (too many hours of class, lack of instruction and preparation on the teacher's part, complete responsibility as a teacher for a group, etc.).

Try to...

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YOUR CHALLENGE

Y ou should ask for help in this order: 1. Your mentor teacher 2. Your head of department or curriculum director 3. The Ministry of Education of your autonomous

community 4. Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport 5. The organization in charge of the program in

your country

If you have questions or concerns...

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Subdirección General de Cooperación Internacional y Promoción Exterior Educativa

Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional